Picture frame



L. FRITZ.

PICTURE FRAME. APPUCATION FILED NOV. 30. 1921.

Patented July 4,192

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mz/en 1'01" eu/z Fm $2 LEWIS FRITZ, OF CHICAGO, ILPINQIS.

moron]; FRAME.

iterate.

Application filed November 30, 1921. Serial No. 518,784.

.of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picture Frames, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in picture frames, and has for its principal obj ect the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be simple in structure and, economical in manufacture.

A further object of my invention the provision of a construction of a ploture frame which will be dust-proof and airtight.

A still further object of my invention 1 s the provision of a construction of a. picture frame whereby a number of picture frame blanks of various sizes can be stamped or struck from a single piece of material Without wasting any great quantity of the material.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a face view of my improved picture frame,

Fig. 2 is a blank from which my improved picture frame is'formed,

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of ,my improved picture frame,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the same taken substantially on line 4.-4t .of Fig 3, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the same taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a picture frame blank 9 which is stamped or struck from a single piece of material, the outlines of said blank being similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and when formed, in the manner hereinafter set forth, constitutes a picture frame 10. The construction.illustrated in the drawings constitutes the preferred form, 7 however the Specification of LettersiEatent.

Patent dJu 1.9

frame can be cast or made of wood or any other material suitable forthe purpose. In F g. ,2"of'.the drawings, 10 and 11 indicate the face portions of the picture frame 10 and 12 and 13 indicate the side and end edges of the same. The reference characters 1 1 and 15 indicate lateral flanges which are formed integral with the edges of the face portions 10 [and 11 of the picture frame.

The sideland end edges 12 and 13 and the lateral flanges 14 are bent "in the manner.

shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the constructlon being such as to provide recesses 16 whichextend longitudinally with respect to the sidesof a frame and a recess which extends along the lower end of the frame as shown in Fig. 3. The edges 14 of the lateral flanges 14am bent backupon the side lateral fianges as shown in Fig. 5, to obviate sharp edges. In order to provide a tight joint at the points of junctureof the lateral flanges 14, I .miter .theends of the lateral flanges, as at 17, 3. If desired, the ends of the lateral flanges 14 can be made to overlap each other so as toafford a stronger joint at the points of juncture. Formed on the edges -.17' of the opening 23 of the frame are lateral flanges 18 which are bent back upon the face portions, so as to obviate sharp edges. Positioned between the lateral flanges 18 and the back of the face portions 10 and 11,and extendingaround the frame,

' is a .reenforcing member 19 which is inthe form of .a twisted wire, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. The purpose ofthe reenforcing wire-19 isto prevent theinner ends 17 fthe face portions 10 and llfrom being dented or otherwise disfigured when the picture frame blank 9 is stamped or struck from a light piece of material. The lateral flange portion 15 is bentin the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, so as to provide a shoulder 20, as shown in Fig. 4:, under which the upper edge 21.of theback 22 of the frame is adapted to engage, said back 22 being slidablymounted in the recesses 16. The back 22 constitutes the material removed from thepictur'e frame opening 23 of a picture frame blank somewhat larger than the picture frame blank illustrated in the drawings. :The upper edge 21 of the back 22 is bent back upon the back 22 in the manner illustratedinFig. 4:, so as to reenforce the,

as illustrated in Fig. 4, releasably locking cured by any suitable manner to the side lateralflanges 14k to facilitate hanging the picture frame with its several parts properly mounted together on a wall or the like. In"

mounting a picture or the like in my improved frame, aglass 24: is mounted in the recesses 16, and the picture or photograph, not shown, is inserted in back of the glass. The back 22 is then mountedin the recesses 16, the upper reenforced edge 21 being presseddownwardly under the shoulder 20,

the back'in position. In the construction as herein set forth, I provide a picture frame which is ecconomical in manufacture and which when formed, and its several parts fitted together, will be dust proof and in-' asmuch as the several parts are tightly fitted.

together, in the manner herein set forth, the picture frame will also be air-tight, thus preserving the life of the pictureor photograph Or the like, mounted in the frame. I

Another advantage of a construction of a picture frame as described and illustrated, is

that any number of picture frame blanks,

such as illustrated in Fig. 2, of various sizes, can be struck fromthe same piece of material by substituting the material removed to provide; the picture frame opening23 for the back of a smaller picture frame, or by stamping or striking a picture frame blank from the said material, which of course, will be smallerthan'the size of the picture frame blank from which the ma terial is removed.

, l Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying. my inventioninto effect, this is capable of variation and modification without depart ing from thespirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications, as come within the scope of the appended claims.

, Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is i 1. An article of the class described comprising a frame struck from a single piece of material and having an opening therein, there being lateral flanges onthe edges of said frame and the edges ofsaid opening being bent inwardly upon said frame; a back removably positioned between said frame and the flanges formed on the edges thereof; and a reinforcing member sur rounding said opening and arranged be-..

tween the flanges on the edges of said opening and-said frame.

2. An article of'the class described comprising a frame, there being lateral flanges onsaid frameand bent inwardly thereupon forming channels; a back removably positioned mi sald channels; an upwardly turned lip formed on said back to facilitate removing said back from said channels; and. a shoulder transversing said frame at the entrance thereof for releasably holding said backagainst removal from said frame. 7

8. In a picture frame comprising a frame blank having a central opening therein and lateral flanges formed on the edges of said blank and the edges of said opening being bent inwardly upon said blank; a back positione'd between said blank and the flanges on the edges thereof; and a lateral, shoulder. at one end ofsaid blank adapted toreleasably hold said back in such position 14:. In a frame for pictures or the like, the

combination with a frame blank struck from a single piece of material, there being'recesses formed on said frame; a lateral stop transversing said frame at the entrance thereof; a back for said frame, one of the edges of said back being bent upon the body f portionthereof,;said'bent portion being ar:

ranged and adapted to engage under said shoulder; and an upwardly turned portion on said bent portion of said back to facilitate disengaging said bent portion from said shoulder.

5. A picture frame comprising a channel shaped frame; aback slidably mounted in said frame, the upper end portion of said back being bent back upon the body thereof; a lateral flange at the entrance of said frame, said flange being bent inwardly to form a stop for said back; a lip formed on said bent portion'of said back to facilitate the removing of said back; lateral flanges formed on the inner edges of said frame and bent inwardly thereupon; and a twisted wire member arranged between said inner flanges and said frame for reinforcing'the edges of the opening thereof.

6. In a picture frame comprising a channel shaped frame and a back for said frame having an edgebent back upon the body thereof; a transverse shoulder at the en tranceof said frame and extending laterally therefrom adapted for engagement with said bent edge for releasably holding said back against removal from said frame; and

means on said bent edge to facilitate the re moving of said back from said frame.

7 A picture frame including a blank having a central opening therein; lateral flanges on the edges of said blank and'the edges of said opening being bent inwardly upon said blank; and a back releasably held in recesses formed between said blank and the flanges on the edges thereof.

8. A picture frame including a blank In testimony whereof I have signed my struck from a single piece of material and name to this specification in the presence of having an opening therein; lateral flanges two subscribing witnesses.

on the edges of said blank, the edges of said LEWIS FRITZ. 5 flanges being bent inwardly thereupon; lat- Witnesses:

eral flanges on the edges of said opening; JOSHUA R. H. Po'rrs,

and a back removably carried by said blank. FREDA C. APPL TON. 

